Zach Thibodeaux, 8, takes in the view of the Statue of Liberty on a boat ride to Liberty Island during a trip to New York in early April. The statue was on Zach's list of things to see before cone-rod dystrophy robs him of his sight.

Zach strikes a Statue of Liberty pose with a pair of mimes in Lady Liberty costumes before boarding the boat to Liberty Island,

Under the supervisoin of National Park Service Ranger Dennis Mulligan, Zach runs his hands over a Statue of Liberty replica during a museum tour.

Zach and his stepbrother Connor Uek, 10, got to go inside an exhibit and feel the inside of a copper form used to shape the Statue of Liberty's toe. The wood pieces are patterns used to make the copper forms.

Zach uses his hands to "see" the Statue of Liberty's original iron framework on display at the Statue of Liberty museum. The iron framework has been replaced with sturdier steel.

Zach (top right) looks at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum's display of foreign currency exchanged for U.S. dollars by immigrants arriving from abroad. Zach and his family toured the museum after visiting the Statue of Liberty.

Zach horses around with stepfather Joey Uek on the upper deck of the Statue Cruises ferry after visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Zach gives cousin Sarah McWilliam, 14, a hug during the ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty.

Zach talks to mother Johanna Uek (left) and stepfather Joey Uek during a subway ride to Times Square in New York.

Zach and his mother, trailed by Zach's stepbrother Connor Uek (in Texas Longhorns hoodie), cross Broadway Avenue while taking in the sights and sounds of Times Square.

Zach soaks in theTimes Square atmosphere.

Zach shares a laugh with his mother, Johanna Uek, and stepfather Joey Uek in Times Square.

Zach's mother Joanna Uek flashes a smile as he snaps a picture of other family members during a visit to the New York Stock Exchange. The floor traders later greeted Zach with a standing ovation, and Zach got to meet with NYSE CEO Duncan Niederauer tag along for a live CNBC interview about NYSE rejecting NASDAQ's buyout offer.

Zach shoots a photo of his mother Johanna Uek (foreground); Johanna's niece Sarah McWilliam; and Johanna's sister Martha McWilliam at the New York Stock Exchange.

New York Stock Exchange CEO Duncan Niederauer shakes hands with Zach after giving him a green trading jacket, one of several gifts from the exchange.

Zach Thibodeaux gazes at a snow globe that was among the gifts he received at the New York Stock Exchange.

Zach walks across the New York Stock Exchange floor with operations vice presidents Frank DeGarcia (left) and Mike Rutigliano.

Zach stands atop a stool to get a better view of the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell ceremony.

Zach joins New York Stock Exchange CEO Duncan Niederauer for a live CNBC interview from the exchange floor.

Steven Schnibbe of Blue Point Securities (right) shows Zach Thibodeaux how to execute an electronic trade on the New York Stock Exchange floor.

Zach rests on a stuffed Spongebob Squarepants after a busy day at the New York Stock Exchange. The giant Spongebob, a gift from Viacom International, was in a gift basket delivered by NYSE CEO Duncan Niederauer.